DOCTORS have voiced concerns about the way NHS officials plan to thin out the number of GP practices in the area from 81 to 48.

The proposals are a key part of a new strategic plan issued by NHS South East Essex, the trust responsible for GP practices in Southend, Rochford and Castle Point.

Other proposals in the plan would see £33million diverted from Southend Hospital to GPs and other changes in local services.

These would include building more primary care centres, closing some smaller GP surgeries, increasing the number of NHS dentists and providing more treatment in the community rather than in hospitals.

But Dr Brian Balmer, who represents local GPs on the trust board, was one of a number of doctors who raised concerns over the plans at the trust’s recent board meeting.

He said: “I’m concerned, if it is dealt with badly, this could be seen as extremely threatening, reducing the number of surgeries. It could destabilise practices.”

Another GP and board member, Dr Sunil Gupta said: “I can see advantages and disadvantages to this.

“The aim of the plan is to have higher quality of care, better premises, a wider range of services closer to patients’ homes and better illness prevention.

“Some smaller GP practices may lose business to large, commercial companies. There are also worries about the varied distribution of resources among practices and whether they will lose income.”

Ian Stidson, the trust’s deputy director of primary care, told the board: “There will be slightly different ways of working and huge differences in others, but we will support practices in that change.

“We won’t close single-handed practices, but if a doctor is retiring, we can help merge two small practices or help those wishing to grow.

“We’ll support them in bringing their practices up to a standard fit for purpose. It’s not something we will impose on practices.”

The document will now go out to consultation in a slightly revised form to make it easier to understand.

If you want to express a view, the full Strategic Plan, a summary version and a feedback form are all available online at www.see.nhs.uk Alternatively, you can get copies, by calling NHS South East Essex on 01702 224600.